Introduction

The number of PowerPoint presentations being delivered to audiences every
day is truly phenomenal -- and since most presentations are projected from
a laptop, it is truly amazing that presenters continue to carry their laptops
across continents just to present without being aware of alternatives.

A large number of business users these days use PDAs, SmartPhones, and other
similar equipment -- the BlackBerry is one of the most omnipresent phone
PDA brands to be found these days. And to make the connection between the
BlackBerry, PowerPoint, and a projector -- a company called Impatica decided
to create a small product called the ShowMate.

About Impatica ShowMate

ShowMate is from Impatica, a company based in Ottawa, Canada.
They also create several other products.

The ShowMate itself is a small, black plastic box that's considerably smaller
than a pack of cards -- but it's more than just hardware because the ShowMate
includes several other components (see Figure 1):

Using the ShowMate Software

Once you insert the CD that is included in your ShowMate box, a splash screen
provides options to:

Install the Impatica for BlackBerry software

Get your Impatica for BlackBerry software code

Download ShowMate firmware updates

View QuickStart Guide and User Manual

View an online tutorial

Work with a sample PowerPoint presentation

Follow these steps to get started:

Access your Impatica for BlackBerry software code from the Impatica
site -- you'll need to input the serial number on your ShowMate to
get this software code.

Next, install the Impatica Presentation Viewer on your BlackBerry. This
needs you to connect your BlackBerry to the computer, and download the
software from the Impatica site -- and then install the Viewer (see Figure
2).

Figure 2: Installing the Impatica Viewer
on the BlackBerry

Alternatively, you can also access and install the software straight
from your BlackBerry using its Internet service.

Now, install the Impatica conversion software -- this software has already
been reviewed earlier on this
site -- essentially the software creates a BlackBerry file format version
of your PowerPoint presentation (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Converting PowerPoints to BlackBerry
format

Once you convert your PowerPoint presentation to a BlackBerry compatible
format, you need to transfer the converted presentation to your BlackBerry.
To do that, attach your BlackBerry to your computer and then use the steps
outlined in the BlackBerry Transfer tab of the Impatica interface (see Figure
4).

Using the ShowMate Device

Once you have the converted PowerPoint presentation loaded on your BlackBerry,
all you need to do is connect the ShowMate device to both your BlackBerry
and a projector. And make sure you also connect your BlackBerry power supply
to the ShowMate.

Thereafter, launch the Impatica Presentation Viewer on your BlackBerry,
open your presentation, and choose the Project Presentation option (see Figure
5). Soon enough, a high resolution slide that looks almost like
your PowerPoint presentation can be seen projected -- and there's no laptop
involved!

Figure 5: Project from your BlackBerry

If you don't want your BlackBerry to be connected with wires to the ShowMate,
you can also use the included Bluetooth adapter (see Figure 6).

Figure 6: The ShowMate can connect to your BlackBerry
using a Bluetooth adapter

Conclusion

Impatica ShowMate is a compact, lightweight product that's a perfect match
for BlackBerry owners who present often -- in fact, it's so good that you
might be tempted to dump your existing phone PDA and get a BlackBerry just
because you want to use a ShowMate. With the ShowMate, the BlackBerry can
now take care of both email and presentations -- thus making the laptop obsolete
for a short business trip!